Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Phuket?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Phuket or Sandakan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Sandakan, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Phuket or Sandakan?
Phuket
Phuket Island is the tourist mecca of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
Sandakan
Located on the Northeast side of the state of Sabah in Borneo is the city of Sandakan, which is the 2nd largest city in the country. Sandakan was a prosperous port town in the 1800s because of its exports of tobacco, timber, pearls, and ivory. However, this booming town that was formerly the administrative capital in North Borneo was bombed practically out of existence at the end of World War II.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $105Sandakan $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $105, while the average daily cost in Sandakan is $58. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Phuket and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $56Sandakan $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $112Sandakan $40
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Sandakan? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Phuket Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $11Sandakan $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
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Longtail Taxi (for Two)$8.18
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Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$6.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- Phuket Airport Bus Transfer from/to Karon Beach: $5.35
- From Phuket or Pa Tong: Transfer to Gun Shooting Range: $6.76
- Airport Transfer To / From Hotel & Free Wifi: $10
- Ferry Transfer to/from Phi Phi Tonsai or Laem Tong: $12
- Phuket Airport Transfer (SHA Plus) : $13
- One-Way Ferry Transfer to/from Koh Phi Phi: $14
- Airport Transfer To / From Hotel & Free Wifi: $15
- Phuket International and Domestic Airport - Arrival Transfer : $15
- Phuket International and Domestic Airport - Departure Transfer : $15
- Phuket International Airport (HKT): Transfer to/from Phuket: $16
- Phuket Shared Arrival Transfer: $17
- Private Phuket Departure Transfer - Hotel to Phuket Airport : $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Phuket change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayPhuket $22Sandakan $19
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$7.88
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.64
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$12
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Thai Noodles$2.45
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Bananas$0.68
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Pizza (for Two)$8.18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- Thai Cooking Class 1.5 Hrs ( 2 Dishes Menu): $36
- Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $43
- Coral Island Catamaran Cruise with Sunset Dinner: $43
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $52
- Flavours of the South Guided Food Tour: $52
- Coral Island & Sunset Dinner by Sailing Catamaran: $53
- Phuket Coral Island Sunset with Dinner by Catamaran Yacht: $53
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $55
- Phuket Cooking Class Thai activity: $55
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $55
- Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour Option: $55
- Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $55
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sandakan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sandakan.
- Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $42Sandakan $7.19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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One Day Boat Tour$25
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Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$68
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Thai Oil Massage$17
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Surfboard Rental$8.18
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Phuket Botanic Garden Admission Ticket: $3.01
- The Selfie Experience Phuket Admission Ticket: $4.14
- Phuket Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Phuket to Phi Phi Tonsai Ferry by Royal Jet Cruiser with Pickup Service: $13
- Trick Eye Museum Admission Ticket: $14
- Phang Nga Bay Skywalk at Samet Nangshe Admission Ticket: $14
- Phuket Trickeye Museum Day Admission Ticket: $15
- Baan Teelanka Upside Down House Entry Ticket: $16
- Original Discovery Tour: $17
- Old Phuket Farm Ticket - Countryside Local Life Culture: $18
- Child Ticket age 6 - 12 years old (Tourist): $18
- Simon Cabaret Show Phuket (Ticket Only): $20
Tours and Activities in Sandakan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sandakan are as follows:
- Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch: $51
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $78
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour: $105
- Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour: $125
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $138
- Sepilok Orang Utan & Bornean Sun Bear Centre with Sandakan City Tour with Lunch: $191
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $197
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $241
- 2D1N Sandakan Private Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise: $290
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $6.35Sandakan $6.59
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
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Cocktails (for Two)$5.46
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Beer$2.32
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- All-Night Bar Crawl with Drinks & 4 Venues: $22
- Phuket Guided Pub Crawl: $25
- Pub Crawl Tour: $25
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $77
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $97
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple : $172
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop & Wat Chalong Temple: $213
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Sandakan, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sandakan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sandakan and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Phuket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phuket than you might in Sandakan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Sandakan?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Sandakan, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Phuket or Sandakan?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Phuket or Sandakan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Phuket usually receives more rain than Sandakan. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sandakan this time of the year. In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phuket usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan during summer. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun in the summer.
Phuket is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the summer. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Sandakan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPhuket 28°C (82°F)Sandakan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Sandakan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Sandakan. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.
Also, December to March in Phuket is the dry season. June to October in Phuket is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Phuket usually gets more rain in October than Sandakan. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Phuket often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Phuket is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Phuket in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Sandakan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPhuket 27°C (81°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Sandakan in the Winter?
Both Sandakan and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Phuket is December to March. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. In January, Phuket usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during winter. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPhuket 28°C (82°F)Sandakan 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Sandakan in the Spring?
Both Sandakan and Phuket during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in April than Sandakan. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Sandakan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Phuket. In the spring, Phuket often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun.
Phuket is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the spring. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPhuket 29°C (84°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Sandakan and Phuket
| Phuket | Sandakan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.